LISTEN: States meeting interrupted by swearing

Monday 11 September 2023

Two instances of swearing caught live on the audio feed from Friday's States of Deliberation sitting remain available online three days after it happened.

The meetings are broadcast live on Teams as well as BBC radio, and are then available to listen back to online via Teams through the States website.

The meeting on Friday afternoon was focused on the future of Herm School, which eventually was approved to stay open.

While Deputy Lester Queripel was talking in that debate a woman can be heard sighing before uttering the word "d*ckhead".

Later in the same debate, while Deputy John Gollop was talking, a woman's voice can be heard swearing and exclaiming about "staples".

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the swearing, which was picked up by microphones situated in the States chamber so the speeches and decisions can be heard publicly. 

Both the voices appear to be female but there are a number of female staff within the court as well as the female deputies so it is not clear who was speaking.

While the second instance of swearing appeared to be in frustration over staples, it is not clear what the intention of the first instance was.

Above: The two instances of swearing can be heard above. 

A spokesperson for the States of Guernsey said:

"The problem arose from a Teams feed being open. It is a problem that is easily resolved, won’t reoccur and on this occasion was probably compounded by the recent installation of a new sound system in the Royal Court Chamber, which is still bedding in."

The swearing can be heard on the Teams recording which is available in full HERE.